Uttarakhand
Haridwar
Where the Ganga leaves the mountains, and the aarti at Har Ki Pauri
- Suggested trip
- 2 days
- Suited to
- families; solo travellers
In 30 seconds
- Ideal length
- 2 days
- Best time
- October to March for cool weather. Avoid the heat of May and June.
- Good for
- Family, Solo / Community, Friends / Group, Custom
- Popular from
- Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow
Haridwar: Ganges River in Haridwar, India
Photo 1 of 2
Getting there
- From Delhi
- Approx 210 km, 4 to 5 hours by road or train
- Nearest airport
- Jolly Grant, Dehradun, about 35 km
- To Rishikesh
- Approx 25 km, about 45 minutes
- Evening Ganga aarti
- At Har Ki Pauri around dusk, timing changes by season
Make the route work for you
Before you choose Haridwar
- Who this idea suits
- Family, Solo / Community, Friends / Group, Custom. Travelling with children, elders or anyone with mobility needs? Tell us and we set the daily pace around them.
- Allow for your departure city
- Haridwar is on the main Delhi to Dehradun rail line with frequent trains, and about 4 to 5 hours by road from Delhi. Jolly Grant airport near Dehradun is about 35 km away. Travel estimates vary with your actual starting point, traffic and operating conditions.
What should my written quote confirm?
- Property name, room category and meal plan
- Vehicle type, pickup point and arrival/return times
- Total cost, taxes, inclusions and optional extras
- Availability, payment schedule and cancellation terms
About this trip
Haridwar is where the Ganga comes out of the Himalaya onto the plains, and one of four places that host the Kumbh Mela. Har Ki Pauri, the main ghat, is where people bathe at dawn and gather for the Ganga aarti at dusk, with lamps floated on the river.
Read more about Haridwar
It is close enough to Delhi for a weekend and usually combined with Rishikesh, 25 km upstream, which is quieter and more about yoga and the river itself. Haridwar is the pilgrimage half of that pair.
How to reach: Haridwar is on the main Delhi to Dehradun rail line with frequent trains, and about 4 to 5 hours by road from Delhi. Jolly Grant airport near Dehradun is about 35 km away.
The Reality Check
When not to go:May and June for the heat, and July and August when the monsoon swells the Ganga and ghats can be closed to bathing
- Hotels near Har Ki Pauri reprice sharply on Purnima, Kanwar Yatra weeks and long weekends
- Ropeway tickets to Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi are charged separately
Trip highlights
- Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri at dusk
- Dawn bath or a quiet walk on the ghats
- Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi temples by ropeway
- Maya Devi temple, one of the old shrines of the town
- Rishikesh a short drive up the river
Did you know?
Haridwar is one of four places in India, with Prayagraj, Ujjain and Nashik, that host the Kumbh Mela, which rotates between them.
Haridwar is famous for
Things to actually do here
Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri
A dusk ceremony of lamps and chanting on the main ghat, with lamps floated on the river afterwards.
Mansa Devi ropeway
A cable car to a hilltop temple with a view over the town and the river.
Maya Devi temple
One of the old shrines of Haridwar, a short walk from the main ghat area.
Day trip to Rishikesh
About 25 km upstream, for Ram Jhula, cafes and the river.
Sample itinerary
A starting point, not a confirmed booking. Changes depend on dates, access and availability.
3 day plan with Rishikesh
Haridwar for the aarti, Rishikesh for the river and a slower day.
Char Dham start point
Haridwar is the usual first night before the road to Kedarnath, as in our Kedarnath plan.
What's typically included
- Stay in hand-picked hotels or homestays for your group size
- Private or shared transport as per your plan
- Daily breakfast (more meals available on request)
- Sightseeing and activities as per itinerary
- A single Gozy Trips point of contact from booking to return
What's not included
- Flights or train tickets to the base city, unless added to your plan
- Personal expenses, tips and anything outside the listed itinerary
- Adventure activities not included in the base package (available as add-ons)
- Travel insurance
- Anything not explicitly listed as included on your final quote
Price depends on your dates, hotel category, group size and how much transport you need. Send us your plan for a real quote.
- Itemised quoteEvery quote is itemised: the hotel and room type for each night, the vehicle, and which meals are included, so you can compare it line by line.
- Second opinion on any quoteAlready have a quote from another agency? Send it and we will tell you whether we can do the same trip for less. If we cannot, we will say so.
